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Can a foreigner start a company in Singapore?

Yes, A foreigner can start a business in Singapore. Contact us to know more about our Company Incorporation services.

If you want to form a company and you wish to:

Relocate to Singapore: Get an Employment Pass or Entrepass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). 

Operate from Overseas: Appoint a resident director

 

Key Eligibility Requirements for Foreigners to Set Up a New Business in Singapore

To legally form a business and relocate to Singapore, it is important to obtain a visa or a work pass. 

Seek approval of a company name. To obtain fast approval make sure the company names are:

  • – not be identical to an existing business.
  • – not offensive or vulgar

For a foreigner to register a business in Singapore, they must appoint a director which fits these criteria:

  • – Singapore resident. Must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or must hold an employment pass
  • – Age 18 and above
  • – Full legal capacity, has no legal offence or bankruptcy
  • – Appoint a qualified company secretary within 6 months of incorporation
  • – A natural person and a resident of Singapore
  • – Not be a shareholder or the director
  • – At least 1 shareholder and a maximum of 50 shareholders
  • – Can be a natural person or corporate entities
  • – 100% foreign shareholding is allowed
  • – Local registered address in Singapore where the company keeps all of the statutory documents
  • – The address cannot be a post office (PO box)

The minimum paid-up capital to set up a company is S$1. The company can increase its share capital any time in the future. 

Please visit our main page to get more details on the company incorporation documents for various business types.

You can register your company online with ACRA in just a day. The costs are:

  • – S$15 government fee for company name application 
  • – S$300 government fee for registration of the company 
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